– An Extraordinary Life – VG

King Harald, Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Princess Märtha Louise and Princess Astrid, Mrs. Ferner, attended the funeral.

The ceremony was open to guests only, but VGTV broadcast the funeral home’s live broadcast. Seafaring priestess Anne Netland, who normally works in Rio, officiated.

Lorentzen’s brown coffin was adorned with the flags of Norway and Brazil, as he lived there most of his life.

The king on crutches

Princess Astrid was taken to the church and her son Carl-Christian Ferner helped her out of the car. Benedikte Ferner was also present.

Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Princess Märtha announced their arrival four minutes before the start of the ceremony. Immediately after came King Harald and Queen Sonja. They all wore a mask. The king walked on crutches.

The king is on sick leave until April 11, but he followed Lorentzen until his final layoff. The Royal Household has stated that King Harald is on the way to recovery and will continue to train after knee surgery.

Limited number of guests

Asker’s church was bathed in spring sunshine on Monday morning. However, strict crown restrictions mean that Asker Church would not be able to open its doors to many.

Erling Sven Lorentzen, former opponent and widower of Princess Ragnhild, died on March 9, at the age of 98.

The ceremony began with the song “Now I see those mountains and valleys again”, performed by mezzo-soprano Ebba Rydh. The parish priest welcomed everyone, also in Portuguese.

Then there was the singing of “Amazing Grace”, in Norwegian, English and Portuguese, and the prayer.

– He said Yes I die

In his speech, the priest emphasized that Lorentzen as a young man, only 17 years old, began to dedicate his life to the resistance movement. He also recalled that it was in this church that he married Princess Ragnhild in 1953.

Lorentzen was associated with the royal family for most of his life. When Princess Ragnhild died of cancer in 2012, the two had been married for almost 60 years.

Background: Lorentzen had to fight the king for love

Princess Ragnhild has her last resting place in Asker Cemetery, where Lorentzen has had hers as well.

Erling Lorentzen’s nephew, Einar Lorentzen, read words of remembrance on behalf of Haakon Lorentzen, who is in Brazil and was unable to be present at his father’s funeral. He opened the speech by saying the same thing that was said on Ragnhild’s stretcher:

– It is a strange feeling to lose someone who was always there, and who is suddenly gone.

– It was made of something quite special.

He explained that under normal circumstances they would fill the church with many more.

– Dad never told us about when it’s dying. He said Yes I am dying, so I hope it is suddenly and in a pleasant environment. He got what he wanted, sounded in his son’s memorial speech, who also admitted that the two had their fights.

Finally, nephew Einar spoke on his behalf.

– Uncle Erling was very concerned about the extended family. The family unit was very close to him.

He also praised his uncle’s great hospitality.

– It was made of something quite special. A man of the world. However, his feet were on the ground. He has made a great impression and has been a great role model, he said.

Son-in-law: – It’s not easy

Erling Lorentzen’s son-in-law, Paulo Ribeiro, delivered a commemorative speech in Portuguese. He is married to Ingeborg Lorentzen.

– It wasn’t easy being Erling’s son-in-law. He knew what he wanted, when he wanted, and how. It generated a lot of friction between us, said Ribeiro, who emphasized that he was still full of respect and admiration for his father-in-law.

– If he had had more time, he would have managed to find even more difficult tasks. Yes, he liked it. Complicated projects, he said, clearly understood.

Chief of Defense: – Feel a void.

Defense Chief Eirik Kristoffersen took the floor and reminded Lorentzen of his generosity and wisdom.

– Both as Chief of Defense and as Erling’s friend, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you. He deserves our thanks for his heroic efforts during World War II and his tireless work even after the war, he said, adding:

Erling stood up even when he looked desperate, first as an opponent and then as an officer. Erling impressed me from the first meeting. We established a good and close friendship.

Kristoffersen praised Lorentzen for staying calm after turning 90 and reminded her that she parachuted only a few years ago.

– Erling, you have lived an extraordinary life. You have inspired so many. We will miss you. I feel an emptiness when you are no longer here. At the same time, I feel privileged by everything you have taught me. I am proud to call you my friend. Thanks for everything.

Aaron Matthew Long, Ragnhild Lorentzen’s husband, read the scriptures after the pastor had read the wreaths. Those closest came forward and lit candles.

The crown prince used – the princess wiped away her tears

Netland, who has a close relationship with the Lorentzen family through their work in Rio, then delivered his speech and sermon.

“Since he knew Erling, he was more concerned with life than death,” the priest said, noting that Lorentzen wanted everyone around him to be okay, he said.

Then Ebba Rydh performed the Vera Lynn classic “We Will Meet Again”, before the coffin was made. Crown Prince Haakon was among the stretchers.

All those present followed the immersion of the coffin and the burial. Princess Märtha wept by the grave.